Marine turtles species:

Critically endangered (Around 8000 remain)
Eretmochelys imbricata

Affected by:
Fisheries
, Illegal wildlife trade
, Climate change

Marine turtles have been in our oceans for over 100 million years. They’re brilliant navigators, swimming hundreds or thousands of kilometres between feeding and nesting grounds. But they face lots of threats along the way – so we’re doing all we can to help them.

Marine turtle population estimates (including those stated above) are based on the number of egg-laying females – we can’t be sure of the numbers of elusive sea-dwelling males, or females that aren’t breeding. But we do know at least six of the seven species are at risk of extinction.

Cath Lawson
Regional Manager East Africa

"Even under ‘natural’ conditions, relatively few young marine turtles survive their first year of life. Predators such as crabs, foxes and birds often kill the hatchlings as they make their way from the nest to the sea. And when they reach the shallows, many more small turtles are taken by fish. Life as a marine turtle is tough from day one! But the dedication and determination of the teams I work with in Kenya helps to ensure that we give every hatchling the best chance possible."

Where marine turtles live

Marine turtles are found in most of the world’s oceans, apart from cold polar seas. They tend to spend their lives in relatively shallow continental shelf waters.

Once mature, male turtles never leave the sea, but females come ashore to lay eggs – amazingly on the same sandy beach where they themselves hatched.

Why marine turtles are so important

They might not look like voracious killers, but turtles are actually important predators that help to keep ocean food chains healthy.

For example, hawksbill turtles eat lots of sea sponges, which would otherwise out-compete reef-building corals. So the turtles help to protect the coral reefs, which are crucial for the survival of many other creatures.

The leatherback turtle is a big eater of jellyfish, which helps stops the jellyfish depleting fish stocks – which benefits other animals in the food chain, as well as people.

get involved

£25 could pay a Protection Unit ranger's salary for 10 days, to help keep these magestic creatures safe.

Adopt a marine turtle and help support our work along the coast of east Africa. We’re identifying important nesting sites and working with local people to help protect those beaches and the marine turtles that use them.

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Challenges affecting marine turtles

Loss of living space

Coastal developments can destroy turtle nesting beaches. Even if female turtles do manage to dig nests, if beaches are strewn with litter, or too well-lit, it can prevent hatchlings reaching the sea.

Challenges affecting marine turtles

Unsustainable fishing

Marine turtles need to surface to breathe, but if they get tangled in fishing nets or hooks they can drown. Overfishing and unsustainable fishing also damages turtle feeding grounds like seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Challenges affecting marine turtles

Illegal wildlife trade

Turtles are hunted for their meat and shells, and people raid their nests for eggs, which are seen as a delicacy in some cultures. In south-east Asia, stealing of hawksbill turtle eggs is near 100% in a lot of areas.

Challenges affecting marine turtles

Climate change

The sex of turtle hatchlings is determined by the temperature in the nest – warm temperatures produce females, cool produces males. Global warming could threaten the long-term viability of some populations.
Climate change is also causing sea level rise and increasing the number and intensity of storms, which damage turtle nesting beaches.